Coin-actuated article dispensing package



Feb. 24, 1953 E. D. ANGELL 2,629,476

COIN-ACTUATED ARTICLE DISPENSING PACKAGE Filed July 13, 1950' 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 Feb. 24, 1953 E. D. ANGELL 2,629,47

COIN-ACTUATED ARTICLE DISPENSING PACKAGE Filed July 15, 1950 2 SHEETSSHEEIT 2 Patented Feb. 24, 1953 OFFICE COIN-ACTUATED ARTICLE DISPENSING PACKAGE Elvin D. Angeli, Glen Ellyn, Ill., assignor to Murray Harts tein, Chicago, Ill.

Application July 13,1950, Serial No. 173,594

9 Claims. 1

This invention relates to improvements in coin actuated article dispensing packages and it consists of the matters hereinafter described and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a novel package for holding certain types of articles, preferably those desired by children, and which package upon insertion of a coin into a slot provided therein, will dispense one of said articles for use and will retain the inserted coins.

Another object of the invention is to provide an article filled package of this kind which is intended to be sold as a unit, and which when empty must be destroyed against reuse in order to obtain the retained coins used in actuating the package.

A further object of the invention is to provide a package of this kind which is simple and inexpensive to produce from but two pieces of sheet material, such as paper board.

Also it is an object of the invention to provide a package of this kind, which requires no springs or other mechanical devices in its make up.

Again, it is an object of the invention to provide a package of this kind especially adapted for use in the home by children, for their amusement as well as for promoting thrift.

The above mentioned objects of the invention as well as others together with the advantages thereof will more fully appear as the specification proceeds.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a coin actuated article dispensing package, embodying the preferred form of the invention, with parts thereof broken away for a better illustration of the interior thereof, said view being on substantially a full sized scale.

Fig. 2 is a front to rear vertical sectional view through the package as taken on the line 2- 2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a side to side vertical sectional view through the package as taken on the line 3.@ of Fig. 2.

Figs. 4 and 5 are horizontal sectional views through the improved package as taken on the lines 4-4 and 55 respectively of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of an opened up carton blank from which the body of the improved package is made; on a scale less than that of Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive and as viewed from the back thereof.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of an insert associated with the carton blank of Fig. 6 in producing the improved package.

Fig. 8' is a plan view of a cut and scored blank ofsheet material, which when folded into set-up form, provides the insert appearing in Fig. 7.

The improved package, which is particularly adapted for home use, is one filled with confectionery articles, preferably of spherical form, much desired by children, and from which said articles may be dispensed individually, each time a coin is inserted into the package, the package retaining the accumulated coins. When the articles have all been dispensed from the package, the same must be broken beyond reuse in recovering said coins.

Referring now in detail to that embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, the improved package, exclusive of its article contents, is made up of a carton body ill such as shown in Fig. 6 and an insert H such as shown in Fig. 7, both of cut and scored pieces of suitable sheet material, as for example paper board.

The body l-fl comprises upright front and rear walls i2 and 13 respectively, side walls l lle and top and bottom walls I5 and I6 respectively. The top and bottom walls i5 and I5 are each composed of side flaps llll hinged to the ends of the side walls and end flaps i8-l8 at opposite ends of the front and rear walls, and each flap l8 includes a hinged tab E9.

on the vertical center line of the front wall l2, near the top end thereof is a circular window opening 29 which is covered from the inside by a sheet of thin transparent plastic sheeting 20a which best app ars in Fig. 2 and through which the articles of the package are visible. Below this window opening, on said center line of said front. wall, is a vertical coin receiving slot 2!, and on the vertical center line of the rear wall is an article outlet opening 22, said opening being preferably of a rectangular shape, with its top and bottom edges flush with the top and bottom ends of the slot 21 in the front wall.

The insert H is made from a cut and scored blank 24 such as appears in Fig. 8. This blank is generally of a rectangular shape and has a width that corresponds to that of the body Iii. Said blank is scored transversely along the lines 2 5F215, to provide a center panel 27 havin an area and shape approximating the horizontal cross section of the body If) and end panels 23 and 29 respectively. The panel 27 forms the top partition for the insert H and the panels 28 and 29 form the back and th front respectively for said insert.

On the longitudinal center line of the blank and having one edge coineident with the score line 25, there is provided in the back panel an opening 35 of the same shape and size as the openin 22 in the back wall l3 of the carton body and with which it is adapted to register in the package. Beginning at the score line 26 and extending back into the center panel is an openin 3|, one half of which is occupied by a tongue 32 that is joined to the panel by a score line 33.

The front panel 29 is provided with a pair of laterally spaced slits 34-34 one on each side of the longitudinal center line of the blank and these slits, which are parallel with the line 26 are connected by a score line 35. Said front panel is further provided with longitudinal slits 36-36 which divide the panel into a pair of leg sections 3|-3'l and a central trough or channel forming section 38, the free end edge 39 of which is spaced from the free end edges 40 of the leg sections 3'|-3l which form a part of the panel 29. In the trough section are laterally spaced score lines 4| which divide the section 38 into a center portion 42 and side portions 43-43. A slot 44 is provided in the longitudinal central line of the panel 29, which begins at the score line 26 and extends into the central portion 42 of the trough section to stop in the plane of a line conecting the edges 40 of the legs 31.

The score lines 4|-4| are spaced apart so as to line up with the lateral edges of the openings 35 and 3| respectively. The panels 28-45 are the same in length and the trough section 38 have a length equal to that of the central panel.

In setting up the blank into the condition appearing in Fig. 7, the end panels 28 and 29 are folded downwardly along the lines 25-46 into substantially parallel relation. 43-43 of the trough section are then folded upwardly along the lines 4|--4| to impart a trough-like formation to the section 38 as a whole, which is then folded upwardly along the line 35 after which the tongue 32 is folded downwardly along the line 33. In this condition the free end edges of the portions 4343 engage the inner surface of the section 28 and the troughlike cross section thereof registers with the opening 30 therein.

The blank 25 when folded as above described provides an insert which may be conveniently entered into the body I from its open bottom end with a relatively snug fit which holds the insert in its set up form. If desired, before this insert is entered into the open bottom end of the body l0, adhesive may be applied to the outer surface of the front and back thereof so as to adhere the same to the front and back walls o the body IE1 when disposed in operative relation therein. When the insert is in its final position in the body, the free edges of the legs 31 and of the panel 28 will be flush with said bottom and the mid panel 21 will be disposed in the plane of the top end of the slot 2|. Also the portion 42 will be disposed in the plane of the bottom end of said slot and the tongue 32 will be directed downwardly and forwardly of the trough as provided by the portions 42-43. Thereafter the flaps at the bottom end of the body K! are folded inwardly and the flap l8 folded over the same and the tab I9 is then tucked in between the front wall and the adjacent edges of the tabs |'|-|'l. This closes the open bottom of the body and at this time the insert divides the body, as best shown in Fig. 1, into an upper article receiving chamber 50 and a lower coin receiving chamber the former having the greater volume.

The articles of confectionary with which the The portions chamber 50 is filled is illustrated as be g of a spherical shape and are indicated by the numeral 52. Each article will have a diameter and b of such weight as to permit its passage from said chamber through the opening 3| into that end of the trough adjacent the front of the body In and against which it is yieldingly held by the flexible action of the tongue 32 which enga the article from behind. As by way of illustration and not by way of limitation the article to be dispensed are illustrated as a confection known as gum balls.

After the compartment has been loaded with the articles, the flaps l|-|8 and 9 at the top end of the body are folded into a condition to form the closure for the open top of the body and the articles composing the contents of the compartments are visible through the window sheet 20a. On the loading of the receiving and holding compartment one of the articles will drop down into the position shown in Fig. 2.

To dispense an article from the package, a coin, token or other suitable member 53 is inserted into the slot 2| from the front of the package. In this instance the member may be a one cent piece or penny, the slot 2| being of such height or vertical length as to take the same. When the penny is inserted into the slot 2| it engages the article 52, as shown in Fig. 2, and pushes the same rearwardly so that the article brushes past the finger 32 which swings upwardly and rearwardly for this purpose. Said tongue returns to its normal position after the article has passed the same, ready to hold the next article entering the trough through the opening 3| in position, as appears in Fig. 2.

After the article has passed the finger, it rolls along the trough to pass through the outlet 22, in the back of the carton body, and is now available for use. After the article has passed the finger under the push imparted thereto by the penny, the latter enters that part of the slot 44 in the portion 42 and, upon release, falls into the compartment 5| where it is retained.

As soon as one article is dispensed, as mentioned, another one enters the trough by gravity through the opening 3| ready for the next operation of inserting a penny, token or the like in the slot 2| When the supply of articles 52 in the chamber 50 is exhausted, there should be the same number of coins in said chamber as there were articles in the chamber.

To retrieve the coins, the empty package must be broken and this is generally into such a state or condition that prohibits its reuse and it is then discarded.

The package and the manner in which the articles are dispensed, is attractive, affords enjoyment for children and assists in teaching the habit of thrift.

I claim as my invention:

1. A coin actuated article dispensing package embodying therein a closed carton-like body having spaced upright wall portions, a substantially horizontal partition in and dividing the body into an upper chamber for holding the articles to be dispensed and a lower compartment for receiving coins, a trough having a bottom arranged in said body below said partition and extending between said wall portions, one of which has a Vertical coin slot therein and the other of which has an article discharge outlet, said slot and outlet being in communication with the ends of said trough, there being an opening in said partition getawa- 5. for the passage of articles, one at a time there through from said upper compartment into said' trough, means for engaging the article in said trough for releasably holding the same against movement toward said outlet opening, said trough having an opening in its bottom for the passage of the actuating coin therethrough and into said lower compartment after it has passed through said slot.

2. A coin actuated article dispensing package embodying therein a closed carton-like body having spaced upright wall portions, a substantially horizontal partition in and dividing the body into an upper chamber for holding the articles to be dispensed and a lower compartment for receiving coins, a trough having a bottom arranged in said body below said partition and extending between said wallportions, one of which has a vertical coin slot therein and the other of which has an article discharge outlet, said slot and outlet being in communication with the ends of said trough, there being an opening in said partition for the passage of articles, one at a time, therethrough from said upper compartment into said trough, and yieldable means carried by said partition and extending into the trough for engaging the article therein for releasably holding the same against movement toward said outlet opening, said trough having an opening in its bottom for the passage of the actuating coin therethrough and into said lower compartment after it has passed through said slot.

3. A coin actuated article dispensing package embodying therein a closed carton-like body having spaced upright wall portions, a substantially horizontal partition in and dividing the body into an upper chamber for holding the articles to be dispensed and a lower compartment for receiving coins, a trough having a bottom arranged in said body below said partition and extending between said wall portions, one of which has a vertical coin slot therein and the other of which has an article discharge outlet, said slot and outlet being in communication with the ends of said trough, there being an opening in said partition for the passage of articles, one at a time therethrough from said upper compartment onto said trough, a tongue carried by a part of the structure and extending into a position in said trough for releasably holding the article on the bottom of said trough against movement toward said outlet opening, said trough having an opening in its bottom for the passage of the actuating coin therethrough into said lower compartment, after it has passed through said slot.

4. A coin actuated article dispensing package embodying therein a closed carton-like body having spaced upright wall portions, a substantially horizontal partition in and dividing the body into an upper chamber for holding the articles to be dispensed and a lower compartment for receiving coins, a trough having a bottom in said body below said partition and extending between said wall portions, one of which has a vertical coin slot therein and the other of which has an article discharge outlet, said slot and outlet being in communication with the ends of said trough, there being an opening in said partition for the passage of articles, one at a time therethrough from said upper compartment into said trough, means formed from a part of said partition and depending into said trough for engaging the article therein for releasably holding the'same against movement toward said outlet opening, said trough having an opening in its bottom for the passage of the actuating coin therethrough into said lowerbe dispensed and a lower compartment for receiv-- ing coins, a trough having a bottom arranged below said partition between said front and rear walls and which walls have a vertical coin slot and an article outlet opening respectively, said slot and outlet being in communication with the ends of said trough, said partition having an opening therein for the passage of articles one at a time therethrough from said upper compartment into said trough adjacent the slot in said front wall, means forming a part of said partition and extending into said trough for engaging the article and for releasably holding the same against movement therein toward said outlet opening, said trough having an opening in its bottom for the passage of the operating coin therethrough and into the lower compartment after said coin has passed through said slot.

6. A coin actuated article dispensing package embodying therein a closed carton body having sides and front and rear walls and top and bottom walls, a horizontal partition in the body dividing the same into an upper chamber for holding the articles to be dispensed and a lower compartment for receiving coins and having portions at the front and rear thereof engaged with the front and rear walls of the carton body, supporting means carried by said partition and engaged at the bottom upon the bottom wall of said body, a trough havin a bottom arranged below said partition and extending between said front and rear walls of the body, and which walls have a vertical coin slot and an article outlet respectively, said slot and outlet being in communication with the ends of said trough, said partition having an opening therein for the passage of articles, one at a time, therethrough into said trough, means depending from the partition and extending into said trough for engaging the article thereon from the rear for releasably holding the same against movement toward said outlet opening, a part of said trough having an opening in its bottom for the passage of the operating coin therethrough into said lower compartment after said coin has passed through said slot.

7. An insert member for use in connection with a carton body in forming a coin actuated article dispensing package, said member embodying therein a horizontal partition member and front and rear walls bent along the front and rear parallel edges of the partition into a depending vertical position, said partition having an article passing opening therein, a substantially horizontal trough arranged below said opening in said partition and extending between said front and rear walls and having a bottom, the rear wall having an opening therein in line with said trough, and said front wall having a vertical coin slot therein opening into said trough, said trough having a longitudinal slot in the front portion of its bottom that communicates with said coin slot in said front wall, and yieldable means carried by part of the member and extending into said trough for releasably holdin the article against movement toward said rear wall opening.

8. A blank for forming into a set-up insert member of the kind mentioned, and comprising a piece of sheet material longer than it is wide and including a central transversely extending partition section and front and rear wall sections joined to said partition section by score lines, said partition section having an opening therein, one edge of which is coincident with the score line joining said section to the front wall section and the rear end of which is defined by an integral bendable part formed from a part of the partition section, the rear wall section having an opening therein in line with the first mentioned opening and having its front edge coincident with th fold line that joins said section with said partition section, said front wail section including a portion between the sides thereof, which is as long as the partition section and which portion is defined at its sides and at parts of one end thereof by a slit and by a fold line, said portion also having longitudinal score lines therein, which are spaced apart the width of the first mentioned opening, there being a central longitudinal slot in the front wall section which opens into the first mentioned opening and terminates in said portion toward its free edge.

9. An insert member for use in connection with a carton body in forming a coin actuated article dispensing package, said member embodying therein a horizontal partition member and front and rear walls bent along the front and rear parallel edges of the partition into a depending ver- 8 tical position, said partition having an article passing opening toward said front edge, which opening is defined at the rear by a forwardly and downwardly extending flexible tongue, a substantially horizontal trough arranged below said opening in said partition and extending between said front and rear walls and having a bottom, the rear wall having an opening therein between the bottom of said trough and said partition and the front wall having a. vertical coin slot therein extending from said partition to said bottom of said trough, said trough having a longitudinal slot in the front portion of its bottom that communicates with said coin slot in the front wall.

ELVIN D. ANGELL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,066,753 Rast July 8, 1913 1,196,105 Groom Aug. 29, 1916 1,521,350 Bicker Dec. 30, 1924 2,429,510 Callison Oct. 21, 1947 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 485,538 Great Britain May 20, 1938 736,527 France Sept. 19, 1932 

